Boys are starting to catch up with girls when it comes to the top A-level grades thanks to the return of exams and – according to experts – being 'lazy' last-minute crammers.
The lead by girls in A and A* grades has narrowed from 4.8 percentage points last year to 2.2 points this year, yesterday's data showed.
It coincides with the return of exams for the first time since before the pandemic, as all tests in 2020 and 2021 had to be cancelled.
Instead, teachers decided pupils' grades based on coursework and performance in online classes – and girls' grades rocketed.
